naumachia

American  

[naw-mey-kee-uh] / nɔˈmeɪ ki ə /

noun

plural

naumachiae, naumachias

1. a mock sea fight, given as a spectacle among the ancient Romans.

2. a place for presenting such spectacles.

---

naumachia British  

/ nɔːˈmeɪkɪə, ˈnɔːməkɪ /

noun

1. a mock sea fight performed as an entertainment

2. an artificial lake used in such a spectacle

---

Etymology

Origin of naumachia

1590–1600; < Latin: mock naval battle < Greek naumachía a sea fight, equivalent to naû ( s ) ship + mách ( ē ) battle, fight + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

The gladiation officials insisted, however, that gladiating was “as safe as it has always been, and definitely way safer than naumachia.”

From Washington Post

The naumachia was a sea-fight, either in the arena, which was flooded for the occasion by a system of pipes and sluices, or on an artificial lake.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes the vast arena was flooded with water, and naumachia or sea-fights were exhibited.

From Project Gutenberg

Just within this gateway is perceived an extensive naumachia, or theatre for the exhibition of sea-fights, constructed of fine masonry, and finished on the top with a large moulding wrought in the stone.

From Project Gutenberg

One would imagine, it was with this view they instituted their naumachia, or naval engagements, performed by half a dozen small gallies of a side in an artificial basin of fresh water.

From Project Gutenberg